Welcome from the stable of M0BPT with another edition of news from the activity scene here at FISTS.

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As this edition is being readied for publication I’m hoping that your all geared up for the Titanic event; it’s surprised me just how many amateurs world-wide have given time and effort to organising a special event station to commemorate the event.

GR100MGY : From Charterhouse School, Godalming, UK. Which was the home town of Jack Phillips, the Chief RO of Titanic.

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GI2012MGY: located in Belfast from onboard the SS Nomadic.

Titanics 'Little Sister The SS Nomadic is the only remaining historic link to the Titanic left afloat, and she is also the last surviving White Star Line vessel in the world. Like Titanic herself she was built at the shipyards of Harland and Wolff in Belfast, Northern Ireland,and served as a tender to the Olympic and Titanic.

GB1OOC : (golf bravo one oscar oscar charlie) GB1OOC will be operated by the Barry Amateur Radio Society to commemorate 100 years since RMS Carpathia's historical rescue of the survivors of RMS Titanic on 15th April 1912.

To run from a 1925 vintage steam tug FORCEFUL, which was involved in distress and rescue proceedings on more than one occasion, conducted under regulations introduced at the July 1912 London Telegraphic Convention, post the TITANIC sinking.

VX9MRC : Marconi Radio Club of Newfoundland - 507.77kHz 0001 to 0400 GMT 15th April 2012.

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Titanic disaster, the Marconi Radio Club of Newfoundland will be transmitting a special bulletin near 500 kHz, the distress frequency used by the radio officers of the Titanic to send their CQD call to Cape Race, Newfoundland.

Please listen on 507.77 kHz CW for VX9MRC between 0001 and 0400 UTC on 15 April 2012. Please note this corresponds to Saturday night, 14 April, for listeners in the western hemisphere.

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VK2FDU : Australia FISTS Club Station VK2FDU will be on-air for the Titanic sprint.

Operators will be John VK4TJ, Chris VK3CGB and David VK3DBD

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ZM6FF : The New Zealand FISTS Club station ZM6FF will be active as much as possible depending on obtaining volunteer members.

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KN0WCW : North America FISTS Club Station will be active as much as possible during the sprint.

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JL3YMV : East Asia FISTS Club Station will be active as much as possible during the sprint.

Operator will be Nao, JO3HPM.

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(Please note that if you are entering the sprint that FISTS club calls are worth 5 points!)

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This is the up to date information received thus far.

Enjoy the event, good hunting for the SEStations on air.

I do hope that vou’ll be able to get on air and work some of the stations active.

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On to business, lets look at reports received this month.

Firstly Derek M0DRK.

Hi Robert,

Here is my Fists Ladder Log for March 2012. Once again many thanks to all stations who gave me points. So far this year, my monthly average is much better than in previous years. GX0IPX/A was a very nice bonus, thanks Gra.

Last week Mollie and I had five days of sun,sea and sand in Newquay, we left the surfing to the beach boys. Not short of water there it seems. Hope it rains in Cambridgeshire before long, everything parched here. Take care Robert, see you next month, 73 for now, Derek, M0DRK.

Hello Derek. Good to hear from you, yes I see on the news that many parts of the UK are suffering from water shortages.This is the UK! If you’re not happy with the weasther, just wait fifteen minutes, it’ll soon change! Hi.

Good to hear that you’ve enjoyed you break in the sun and sea. Hope you’re feeling refreshed and invigourated.

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From Erkki OH7QR

Hello Robert,

Attached my ladder log for March. I had seventeen QSOs, of which ten with members. Thanks to Peter/G4LHI and Geoff/G0DDX for QSOs on both Sundays and special thanks to Graham who activated GX0IPX/A. I had 42 Minutes QSO with SM7FBJ, a good chat is always better than points, HI.

73/88 and have a Good Easter

de Erkki OH7QR

Hello Erkki, And good to hear from you; I see that you and others still enjoy a rag chew.

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And from Greg G0DUB.

Hi Rob,

I only managed one day this month but it was worth it to get GX0IPX in the log. The Vibroplex bug is still in use but unfortunately I spoke too soon in my last report. The bug is now exhibiting a problem where it will occasionally 'stick' closed on the dot contact :-( A couple of QSOs had to be completed after using the dash contact as a simple key after

clearing the jam. I'm hoping to find some inspiration for the problem in this Spring's KeyNote, otherwise I will just have to be even more cautious about my sending.

73,

Greg, G0DUB Fists Nr. 6095

Hello Greg, So problems with the vibro? Lets pass it over to the members who maybe have experienced a similar thing, or can offer advice on how to correct it.

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From Darren G0OTT

Hello Rob,

Please find my attached log for the March Ladder.

All 40m QSO's this month, its been in good shape for NVIS inter G, the first evening was a struggle with contest stations pinning me in.

I missed just one session, the first afternoon as I was at the rally(missed you as well Rob), managed to have a nice QSO with Don CN2JV right at the end of the session, carried on for a good chat about his new dipole for 40m and the noise it picks up. I managed to work Don on 15m before but it was very weak/scratchy contact, very pleased to have a good chat twice on 40m.

Very pleased to work Steve IK5TBK, Rod G0IAL and Dave G0BXV for the first time on the ladder, hope to see you often?

The 2nd Sunday I managed to get on both sessions, again all 40m, was very pleased to work Graham as GX0IPX/A in the afternoon and G3ZOD in the evening.

Many Thanks to all the stalwarts who endevour to get on every ladder session. also the non members who show an interest and stop for a chat.

I must mention Durk PA3BYW who uses a home-brew side-swiper to great effect, very nice cw indeed! I find it very difficult to cootie!!!

The practice is paying off with my pump key, keep speeding up so maybe stick to the paddle, apologies to anyone on the wrong end of the stick, its not intentional!!!

Look forward to getting on as many sessions as I can this year, hopefully in new shack soon? So more bands and comfort :)

See you all again next month,

Regards Darren G0OTT.

Hello Darren. Firstly apologies for missing you at Wythall. I believe I’d been dispatched to get refreshments for the others.

Good luck with the new shack and more access to the spectrum.

You’ll see CN2JV’s comments later in the publication.

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From Phil, 2E0DPH

Hello Rob,

Hope you are well, here is my log for the March 2012 Ladder Activity.

Great conditions and some really good QSO’s on both Ladder weekends this month. It was a pleasure to work a few of our newer members this month, particularly Jim G0HGH and Roy G0VJY, I hope we work again soon. Thanks also to Gra operating the club station GX0IPX/A on the second Sunday really strong signals from everyone here in Ely .

See you all again next month.

73 Phil 2E0DPH Fists 14543.

Hello Phil, good to hear frrom you. Gra very kindly activated the club call, I see that he was busy with members too. Condx have been bouyant on 40 and good to see that amateurs are taking advantage.

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From Geoff G0DDX

Robert,

Nice to still hear the usual crowd on ladder Sundays. Managed to work three new calls this month, Brian G3VMP, Ian G4WTF, and Rod G0IAL which was nice.

I seem to be getting the hang of things now. Just need a bit more practice. "It'll come" someone told me a long time ago!

Regards

Geoff G0DDX Fists: 15552

Greetings Geoff, nice to hear you’re gettng back into the swing of things. I’ve seen the you tube video by the way, what an inspired thought to do that! Hi.

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Fritz DL4FDM writes,

Dear Rob,

many tnx for the February Brasspounder News and your fb job.

Not many QSOs from my side during Ladder this month.

Reason was lots of contest-QRM during the first Sunday and some family-celebrations on March 25th.

But it was fun anyway having very pleasent QSOs with our secretary G3ZOD, the "oldest" (?) FISTS-member G3HAL

and 2E0DPH who was a rare CW-prefix to me.

I was listening to GX0IPX/A but the italian-QRM on QRG was to heavy, so I hope for a QSO in April with the HQ-Station.

Very best wishes for happy easter-days.

Fritz DL4FDM (HB9CSA) FISTS#2225 CC#2110

Hello Fritz. Good to hear that you’re enjoying the pleasant meetings with members. Now, Pol G3HAL. I’m not too sure that he may be the oldest member of Fists (I hope you don’t mind us chatting about your age Pol?) I do believe that Bob, M0BYJ; Birmingham, England may have claim to that title at 95 years. I’m sure that someone will correct me if I’m wrong.

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From John 2E0JCY.

Hi Rob,

Please find my log for the March ladder attached.

Very pleased to find time to make a few QSO’s this month,and good to hear so much activity on 40mtrs.

It was good to work Derek M0DRK again after quite some time .

Thanks for all your efforts Rob

vy 73 John 2E0JCY #13253.

Hello John. Good to hear from you. Pleased to hear that you found some time to get on air and enjoy the good condx. Thanks for your kind words of support, as I always say, it’s a team effort and something we enjoy doing.

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From Don CN2JV

Hello Rob.

Here are my contacts for March Ladder. Didn't get any in Feb, but I put up a 40 meter dipole on the roof of the apartment building and now have a nice path to Europe. However noise level in Rabat is very high and I can only get the strongest signals. So if I don't answer or I step on anyone it's because I just can't hear you over the noise.

Don

CN2JV

Hello Don, nice to hear that the dipole has a good path to Europe. I’m sure that all will be listening for you.

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And from Peter G4LHI

Hello Robert,

I attach my claim & report for March Activity Ladder 2012. Quite good conditions on the bands this month, I do hope conditions continue to improve for the coming year; it’s so much more fun.

I only used the usual bands for the Ladder, 40M being my main activity, just dear Erkki on 20m & Danny G0SXM & Graham 2E0JYK, on 2m.

I was very pleased to work Gra with GX0IPX (Fists Club Nr 001) on the second session, very many thanks Gra & a vy FB sigs from you. You certainly attracted a pile up mate!

All my thanks, as ever, to members, future members? & non members, the stalwarts of the Fists Activities that are always there. I do like the Ladder for the opportunity to chat with the non members & hope to persuade them to join our Club one of these days, fingers crossed? .

For this month I had 22 QSO’s for 44 points, so hope conditions continue to improve during the Year & we can enjoy our Fists Activities.

I don’t think many members forgot to put their clocks forward & the new local time for this Month, there seemed to be a nice lot of activity, well done guys, a pleasure to work you, unfortunately I am afraid I could not manage to work everyone that was active, but perhaps next time?

Keep bashing the brass & good hunting to you all, & a very Happy & Healthy 2012, looking forward to April Ladder.

73 de Peter G4LHI # 2219

Hello Peter. As ever many thanks for your concise report on the months activity from your perspective. As commented earlier, many seem to have taken advantage of the condx on 40. Long may it continue.

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From Peter M5ABN

Hi Rob,

Please find attached my log for March, only managed to get on for one short session this month due to other commitments, but hope that April will be better.

73, Pete M5ABN #6423

Hi Pete. Good to hear from you. Really pleased to see that Ray.G3ASG had got into your log. Haven’t Ray for over a year. Nice to see that he’s still active.

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A wrm welcome to Peter G0TLU, who writes.

Hello Rob,

Please see attached my modest entry for the March Ladder. I have made a few forays onto the Ladder in the past, but this month I thought I'd submit my log as I managed to get on the air for 2 sessions.

I don't operate HF much in the winter, due to having to open the fanlight window to allow the balanced feed line out to connect to my loop antenna. The XYL, who originates from much warmer climes, gives me despairing looks when I'm sitting in the shack (= bedroom) with 2 jumpers on and the window open!

Many thanks to all the 'regulars' who gave me points, especially Gra operating GX0IPX/A who was very patient with me struggling to copy his info on a rather noisy band.

73, Peter G0TLU

Hello Peter, good to hear from you and welcome aboard. I’ve been in the same situation as yourself, so can appreciate your comments. As the weather improves (did I really say that?) after the unusual few days we’ve experienced after the sunshine and good temperatures; I hope we’ll be hearng more from you.

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And from Gra. G3ZOD.

Hi Rob. I only made it on the air for part of the evening session on the 11th March due to the visit to the Wythall Rally. On the 25th March I was very pleased to meet members Dave GM4EVS and Fritz DL4FDM for the first time. Most of my contacts were on 40m, which was far more effective for me than 80m, especially in the afternoon session.

73 de Graham G3ZOD

Hi Gra.

Good to see you and the rest of the lads at Wythall. Pleasing to meet members old and new.

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Thanks to Dennis K6DF, FISTS Award Manager, for the following information.

March 2012 FISTS Awards

Congratulations to the following members:

Ian G4MLW #130

Millionaire 2 Million Sticker, Prefix Version One and Prefix Version Two

Fritz DL4FDM #2225 Basic Century

Stan K4UK #2934 Millionaire 16 Million Sticker

Graham G3ZOD #8385 Silver Century

Tom KF0K #8513 Millionaire 2 Million Sticker

Russ K0LUW #12117 Diamond Century

Gary AB0BM #13663 Millionaire 2 Million Sticker

James VK4TJF #14135 Basic Century

Note that Ian G4MLW is the very first person, worldwide, to achieve the Prefix Version One and Two Awards!